The Vine Community is a dispersed community with Whalley Abbey as its spiritual home. The name and biblical image reflect our desire to abide in Christ and belong together, to grow and bear fruit. The aim is to offer members a space to reflect on how they make room for growth in their spiritual lives and live out their faith in their own church or worshipping community context. We gather to be encouraged in prayer and discipleship and go out again to our own churches and lives to put that in practice.

We hold monthly meetings on the 2nd Sunday of the month, and everyone is welcome to explore what level of engagement would be suitable for them. Each meeting includes a talk and conversation and small groups to share the joys and difficulties of our journey of following Jesus, and more specifically the community’s rule of life which we adapt to our own circumstances.

Aims

Support each other in deepening our life of prayer and discipleship in our own context
Grow towards living in the rhythm of a Rule of Life
Link with the resident community and activities at Whalley Abbey as the physical focal point
Seek inspiration in the Benedictine/Cistercian heritage of Whalley Abbey

Activities

Annual:
Service of Commitment for those who want to keep the Rule of Life

• Monthly:
  Community meetings with input, discussion, prayer and a meal
  The meetins usually take place on the second Sunday of the month at 4 pm. There is some input, discussion in small groups and sharing, before evening prayer at 5.30 pm and finishing with a bring and share meal.

  The next meeting is 9th November with the theme of Armenian Pilgrimage. There will not be a meeting at 4 pm in December because of the Lantern Procession (3.40 pm from the Abbey) and carol singing at the village Christmas event, but we will gather for evening prayer at 5.30 pm and for the bring and share meal, which will be a celebration with Anna and Andy, the Director and Assistant Director, before they leave the Abbey.

  The first meeting in the new year will be Sunday 11th January with Hilary Murphy steering the Vine Community.

• Worship:
  A pattern of communal daily prayer is available at Whalley Abbey and everyone is welcome to join the resident community in the chapel. Please see the times on the Chapel Services page.

• Other:
  Whalley Abbey retreat and quiet day programme and personal retreats as a B&B guest.
  Communications through the Grape Vine WhatsApp group and Facebook